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Wednesday, December 28, 2011

Allgaier Inks Northeastern Supply For 2012

Northeastern Supply, one of the nation’s leading regional distributors of plumbing, heating, HVAC, air conditioning, water systems and hardware supplies will return as a sponsor in the NASCAR Nationwide Series in 2012 for the 19th consecutive year; serving as an associate sponsor with Turner Motorsports on the #31 Brandt Chevrolet team and driver Justin Allgaier.

“Our NASCAR program has grown significantly over the years, and because of the strong support it receives from our customers and vendors each year, it was a no brainer to make it 19 straight seasons in 2012,” said Steve Cook, Northeastern Supply’s President and CEO.

“The support we have given so many NASCAR teams in the Nationwide Division over the years has been an interesting journey for our company, and because of how they do business and treat their sponsors, it was an easy decision for us to remain with Turner Motorsports for another season,” Cook explained.

“We enjoyed three good seasons backing the efforts of the Great Clips team and drivers Jason Leffler and Kasey Kahne. Now we’ve decided to move over to Justin Allgaier and the #31 Brandt Farm Equipment Chevrolet team in 2012 in hopes of helping them challenge for the championship,” Cook added.

Allgaier has posted two victories in his two seasons of Nationwide competition, finishing fourth and third, respectively, in the 2010 and 2011 driver championships. The 25-year-old Riverton, IL native competed for Penske Racing in 2010, before moving to Chevrolet and Turner Motorsports last season. He recorded six Top-5 and 17 Top-10 finishes, trailing only champion Ricky Stenhouse, Jr. and runner-up Elliott Sadler in season-ending points.

Nicknamed “Little Gator” at a young age because of his small size and ferociousness behind the wheel, Allgaier began developing his talents driving quarter midgets and by the time he was 12 had already earned more than 100 feature wins and five championships. He moved to Late Models at age 13, and in 2001 -- at just 14 years of age -- made national headlines by becoming the youngest driver to qualify for the famed Chili Bowl indoor midget event in Tulsa, OK.

Two years later, he debuted in the ARCA RE/MAX Series with a team owned in part by former NASCAR star Ken Schrader. In three starts that season, Allgaier earned a best finish of 11th. He ran all 23 ARCA races the following year, finishing fourth in points with one win, four Top-5 and 11 Top-10 finishes, in addition to winning five UMP Late Model main events and three midget races.

Allgaier eventually won the ARCA RE/MAX Series championship, earning himself a driver development contract with Penske Racing. He made his Nationwide Series debut that same year, before competing full-time in 2009 en route to sixth in championship points. A lack of sponsorship dollars kept Allgaier from continuing with the Penske organization beyond the 2010 season, when he posted his first Nationwide Series victory, two poles, and a fourth-place effort in driver points.

“We’re excited to have Northeastern Supply back in the Turner Motorsports family next year,” Allgaier stated. “I know they have several big events scheduled throughout the year and I’m honored to have the chance to be included and play an integral part in them.”

Allgaier is the latest in an impressive series of drivers who have been sponsored by Northeastern Supply over the years; including Jason Leffler, Kasey Kahne, JJ Yeley, brothers Mike and Kenny Wallace, Jason Keller, Phil Parsons, Sterling Marlin, Hank Parker, Jr. and Kevin Lepage.

3 comments:

Thats Great news for Justin and his team, but here's what I would like to see... Justin bringing his helmet and his sponsors over to SHR and the #10 car for a partial schedule this next year. It would help build and grow a Team for Danica, get Justin some experience with the Cup cars for a possible Cup ride in the near future.

Tony has said he and Mr. Haas want to go to a 4 car Team in the future, and Justin has already tested for SHR and Hendrick Motorsports... If the Shoe Fits!

I do not think Justin would be well served by a move to Cup in 2012. He's got plenty of time, and needs another season of Nationwide competition before being tossed into the Sprint Cup pressure cooker.